If you’ve ever envied someone who looks like they’ve mastered the balance between bouncy strands and second (or third) day hair, then we have good news for you. Turns out you can train your mane to be less oily so you can lather up less frequently too. Celebrity hairstylist Patrick Melville claims that it’s totally possible to balance out the oil production from your scalp after understanding which no-shampoo-plan works best for your specific strands. Here’s how to do it, week-by-week, for each hair type.
COILY
Week 1: If you have tightly coiled hair, Melville recommends washing about once per week when you’re weaning yourself off shampoo. “You should rinse coily hair one time a week with only warm water and a lightweight conditioner to cleanse the scalp and hair in between washes,” he says. “The hair will take some time to adapt to the new beauty regimen, but you will start to see a difference by the week’s end.”
Week 2: After making it over the week-one hump, your mane will begin looking even better. “At this time, you can expect to see more curl definition and shine, while the hair will also appear thicker and healthier,” Melville explains.
Week 3: By week three, your tresses should be used to less frequent washes — and the lack of constant oil stripping from shampoo should start to be noticeable. “You will really start to see the benefits of less washing because you are not stripping out all the natural oils,” he says. “By washing less, you are adding moisture back into the hair.”
CURLY
Week 1: Just like coiled hair, you should adopt the wash-and-rinse-once-a-week method in the beginning. “This method will refresh curly hair, keeping it healthy and free of pollutants,” he tells us. Consider using a comb in the shower to stimulate your scalp; it can help reduce build-up while waking up the roots of your mane.
Week 2: Get ready for fresh texture! Week two will bring out a noticeable improvement in the look and feel of your spirals. “Hair will feel less dry and appear less dull, and the curls will be smoother and polished,” Melville explains.
Week 3: At the end of your tress training, your curls should be living their best life. Your hair will have a soft-to-the-touch feel and a glossy, structured look, and you’ll be rocking healthy bends that are full of bounce. “You will notice the biggest difference in week three,” he says. “Curls will be much healthier, more hydrated, and defined.”
WAVY
Week 1: Somewhere in between straight and curly hair, wavy locks can be tough to tackle — but it can be done. “You should wash wavy hair about twice a week depending on the product [you’re] using,” Melville recommends. “It will take some time for this hair type to adapt to the changes, but you’ll see beneficial results just by cutting down on washing every day.” Try to limit using a bunch of products during this week if you can; it will help your strands’ oil factor balance out faster.
Week 2: Less shampoo means less stripping, and wavy hair can really benefit from the natural moisture our scalp already produces. “In week two, wavy hair will start to feel softer and look smoother,” he says. Oil isn’t always a bad thing.
Week 3: Bring on the sheen! Week three of less frequent cleansing will make your mane shine bright. “You’ll notice much more shine in wavy hair on week three,” he tells us. “It will also appear to be stronger and healthier.”
STRAIGHT
Week 1: The flat nature of straight hair means that you might need to lather up more frequently in the beginning of your hair training journey, as it’s easier to see oil in this hair type. “Since straight hair tends to lay closer to the head, you should cleanse two or three times a week,” Melville recommends. “In week one, it will take time for the hair to adapt to the changes, but you’ll start seeing results by the end of week one if you stick to it.”
Week 2: As the week goes on, expect the structure of your strands to improve. Beyond how your hair looks, it’s also important to note how it feels. “Straight hair should get stronger as you head into week two because you’re not removing beneficial oils from the scalp,” he explains.
Week 3: Less shampoo means more shine and smoothness for straight hair, so get excited about letting your hair down in all its glory by week three. “You’ll start seeing a lot more glow in the hair from less styling and over-cleansing,” he says. The more you can let your locks do their natural thing, the better.
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(Photo via Getty)
